Death-threat accused faces court

Jun 28 2012

An Esquimalt woman charged with threatening to kill a Victoria lawyer and posting false information on Facebook that a bomb was about to go off at the Victoria Courthouse appeared in court Wednesday.

Patricia Ruth Pelley, 46, is charged with threatening to cause death or bodily harm to Julie Donati, an associate at Carr, Buchan & Company. Pelley is also charged with knowingly conveying a threat to cause death or bodily harm to people at the courthouse. A third count alleges that Pelley, with intent to injure or alarm Donati, posted false information on Facebook that a bomb was about to go off at the courthouse.

On Wednesday, Victoria criminal lawyer Tom Morino asked for the case to be adjourned two weeks to allow Pelley time to hire a defence lawyer. She was given disclosure by the Crown, and is to return to Victoria provincial court on Aug. 1.

About 2 p.m. June 4, police went to the Esquimalt law firm after a staff member saw a bomb threat on Facebook saying people "were going to pay." The post was made about noon.

Officers rushed to the courthouse, working with the sheriffs to make sure everyone was safe. It was quickly determined that the threat was a hoax.

Pelley was arrested at her home about 4: 30 p.m. She was later released with the consent of Crown and defence.